Our Staff: three full-time and two part-time. 40-50 regular volunteers.

What Makes Nia Imani Family, Inc. Special

More Time: Women can live at Nia Imani Family for up to two years. Breaking cycles of poverty, chemical dependency and violence take time. People need a stable, safe environment to make changes that will stick.

More United Families: Children can live with their mothers at Nia Imani Family, something unavailable at most transitional housing programs. Family reunification and support is a focus. We empower and nurture women as they make the life changes needed to regain or maintain custody of their children.

More Tools: Nia Imani Family is not just a roof over a woman’s head. We support women in areas key to their success, such as budgeting, housekeeping, job skills, education, parenting, vocational training, nutrition and meal preparation, community resources, and problem solving.

More Support: We are stronger when we help each other. Women are part of an extended “family” structure that provides guidance and support during the program, and beyond. Women develop healthy relationships that provide strength as they transition to independent living. Women are encouraged to fully participate in the broad community, to take advantage of cultural opportunities, resources, employment, etc.

Wisdom of the Turtle

Founder and Executive Director Belinda Pittman-McGee’s favorite image is the turtle. She gives a wooden turtle to each graduate of Nia Imani Family, Inc. The following description she includes serves as a reminder of their time at Nia Imani Family and what they will need to continue to build their futures.

Wood

Precious and Strong

Patience

The turtle needs to take things slowly and be patient. Change takes time.

The Hard Shell

Reminds us we carry the tools for survival within ourselves. Also, as the turtle’s house, the shell reminds us that home is where we are present.

The Turtle's Head

A symbol of wisdom, the head is always raised as the turtle moves forward.

The Tortise and the Hare

Soul discovery and life recovery are slow and steady pursuits. One small step at a time. Endurance.

Recovery from alcohol and drugs, family violence and homelessness, is full of discovery. It takes courage, positive people in our lives, faith, a releasing of wounds, love and the reminder that slow and steady wins the race.